BIS standards for drinking water

he BIS drinking water specification (IS 10500:1991), which is a voluntary standard, was drawn up in 1983. It was last revised 17 years ago. A revision initiated in 2003, is still in its draft stage.

It was occasioned by a report on pesticides in bottled water by the New Delhi-based research and advocacy organization Centre for Science and Environment's report on pesticides in bottled water. The revision was also necessary to deal with new contaminants and also make the country's standards at par with international specifications on drinking water.

The revision was taken up by bureau's chemical division's sectional committee on water quality. Draft standards were finalized, but the responsibility was then transferred to food and agricultural division—because water was brought under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA).